Life-saving float.



11 TORTOMASL LIFE SAVING FLOAT. APPLICATION FiLED 1AH.3. 1917 Patentedluly 31, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. TORTOMAS L LIFE'SAVING FLOAT. APPLICATION FILED 1AN.3, 1917.

1,234,826. .PatentedJu1y31, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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JOE TORTOMASI, OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

LIFE-SAVING FLOAT.

Application filed January 3', 1917.

To 1/ whom. 2'1 may concern:

lie it known that 1, Jon TORTOMASI, a subject of the King of. Italy, residing at San Diego, in the county of San Diego and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Saving Floats, of which thevfollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in life saving floats.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a float serviceable in time of shipwreck for the safe deposit of goods and as a ready means for maintaining persons afloat upon the water.

A further object of the device is the provision of an article-receiving float compris-.

. ing separable portions adapted for provision upon shipboard for use in rescuing passengers in case of accidents to the ship.

'ith these general objects in view, and others that will appear, as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same con sists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, forming a part of this application and in which like-designating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device,

Fig. 2 is a central, diametrical sectional view thereof,

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same partially broken away,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational View of a side portion of the device, illustrating the retaining means, and

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged detailed sectional views, taken adjacent one of the locking members.

Referring more in detail to the drawings the device broadly consists of two hollow hemispheres 10 and 11, suitably formed of metal secured together in spherical formation by means of a plurality of locking latches 12.

Each of the said hemispheres 10 and 11 has a circular head 13 at one side thereof, the heads of the hemispheres being adapted to flatly engage each other, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. Compleinentally arranged annular ribs 14 and receiving sockets 15 therefor are provided on the said heads for cooperating and preventing relative side movements of thetwo hemispheres Specification of Letters Patent.

when operatively arranged in engagement with each other.

The latches 12 are pivoted as at 16 within recesses 17 of the hemisphere 10, said recesses being adapted to aline with similarly formed sockets 18 in the hemisphere sockets 18, between which bolt extensions 21 of the latches 12 are adapted to seat, being retained in position by lock nuts 22, and a plurality of. these locking devices being employed, the two hemispheres are readily maintained in spherical form thereby.

The spherical float is adapted to support persons, preventing them from drowning, and a plurality of links 23 are swingingly mounted upon each of the hemispheres for ready seizure by persons desiring to use the float, the arms of such persons being readily thrust through the links 23, if desired. By releasing the latches 12 the hemispheres 10 and 11 may be separately employed for be thereafter removed when the float is picked up.

Spaced lugs 19 are arranged in the A side pocket or compartment 26 is provided in the hemisphere 11, formed by means of a partition wall 27 within the said hemisphere, the wall of the latter having an openin 38 therein normally closed by a hinged oor 39 and maintained closed by a lock 40. Water-tight packings ll are provided for the door 39, whereby the articles positioned within the compartment 26 for safe keeping will be kept both dry and safe until removed when the float or the hemisphere 11 is rescued.

A serviceable float is arranged adapted for saving bothpersons and articles, the device being of simple construction and easily' operated.

What I claim as new is 1. A device of the class described comprising two hollow metallic hemispherical floats, means for connecting the floats including latch connections between the .said floats, hand links carried by the latter, receiving ports at the poles of said hemispheres, screw threaded closure plugs provided for the said ports, a partition within one of said hemispheres, providing a compartment therein, and a water-tight door portion provided for the said compartment.

2. A device of the class described comprising two hollow hemispheres, one of the latter having its head arranged With annular receiving grooves, annular ribs arranged npon the head of the other hemi spheie positioned within the said grooves when the heads are in flat engagement With each other with the hemispheres in their spherical arrangement, the adjacent portions of said hemispheres having sockets and recesses therein adapted for alinement with each other, spaced lugs in each of said sockets, latches pivoted in said recesses and having a swinging movement Within the said sockets, bolt extension upon said latches adapted for seating between the said lugs when the latches are positioned within said sockets and lock nuts carried by the said bolts in adjustable engagement with the said lugs.

In testimony whereof I attix nivsignatnre.

JOE TORTOMAHI.

(Iopies of this patent mag; be obtained 1'01 five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 10. G. 

